In our exuberance over Right to Work going down in flames, we don’t want to forget the severe losses Missourians had at the hands of the lap dog Republicans in the State Legislature during the veto session. Nor should we forget that Right to Work, like a Phoenix, can rise from the ashes at any moment.

Doing the bidding of their well- heeled masters, these GOP lap dogs overrode Governor Nixon’s prudent veto of the following bills:

SB 345 – Missouri has the highest predatory average interest rate on loans in the United States at a staggering 451.91 percent. Missouri has twice as many payday loan vendors as McDonald’s and Starbucks combined. Yet, the lap dogs, feeding at the feet of predatory lenders, upped the fees on loans with this bill.

HB 150 – Lowers the maximum number of weeks of unemployment to 13 weeks. The US standard is 26; before this bill, Missouri was one of only eight states not meeting or exceeding that standard. Now at 13 weeks, Missouri only beats out scumbag North Carolina’s 12 weeks.

HB 723 – Takes away local communities’ rights to make decisions best for their community. The lap dogs’ owners were incensed that local governments, like St. Louis City, might actually want a living wage to be paid in their community, or ban plastic bags like Columbia. So when the owners yelled ‘fetch” to their lap dogs, the mutts bought back a bill banning any community from paying more than the minimum wage or banning plastic bags. (The sponsor of the bill is the head of the Missouri Grocers Association. He is his own lap dog.)

SB 224 – Missouri has the 12th toughest qualifying standard for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Families cannot earn more than 34 percent of poverty to qualify, and Missouri is tied for a bottom feeding 9th lowest in amount given to needy families. Currently, a mother and a child can only get a meager $238 a month. Yet, even those inadequate benefits were too much for the well- heeled to pay. So their doggies brought them a bone: SB 224 cuts the number of weeks a needy families can receive necessary help by 15 weeks. This cuts out 70,000 of Missouri’s kids.

HB 878 – This gives “mall cops” the same powers to arrest as trained policemen. This is just another stab at unions and first steps toward privatizing our police force.

In addition to these, the lap dogs were drooling like St. Bernards to bring their masters’ tax cuts for laundries, higher court fees (even in the wake of Ferguson), and allowing insurance companies to be even more vague about premiums.

These lap dogs are not the cute and cuddly kind found in the pet store. These are rabid mongrels have been trained to protect their elitist owners by attacking the middle class and the poor. Next November, it’s time to train the dogs to stope obeying their donor bosses, and do the people’s bidding, or it would be easier to just VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE.

With the General Assembly adjourned for almost a week now, we the citizens have had time to reflect on how the Legislature has failed to invest in everyday Missourians. The consensus among analysts appears clear: brinkmanship, pandering, and scandals have resulted in a “House of Cards” themed soap opera where ruthless politicians conspire and ordinary people ultimately lose. This negative assessment comes directly after the Republican Party has assumed an unprecedented super-majority in both chambers. Rather than sticking to campaign platitudes of “limited government,” Republican leaders abandoned their principles as soon as they were no longer expedient. Pushing a Right-to-Work bill through the Senate, which even Republicans describe as government interference in employer-employee relations, certain Republican senators pulled out every hollow excuse handed to them by wealthy, out-of-state interests groups to distract attention from their hypocritical actions before silencing bipartisan opposition. In this “do only harm” session, the extremist wing in the Legislature also failed to expand Medicaid, and slashed the budget for roads while leaving schools woefully underfunded. Because of unrestrained money and charades, Missourians have seen the moral bankruptcy of the majority party. In January, we lost Tom Schweich, a decorated public servant, to suicide after fellow Republicans waged an intense mudslinging campaign against him. Republican Speaker of the House John Diehl stepped down just last week after an investigation revealed his improper relationship with a 19 year old intern. All the while, the real corruption scandal between lobbyists, politicians and unlimited gifts continues undisturbed. The people’s interests will never be realized so long as legislators live in a bubble where interest groups stumble over each other to dole out free meals. Indeed, it certainly makes it easier to kick children off the social safety net on a full stomach. We the people must work to make sure this embarrassing last session in Jefferson City is not eclipsed next year. While elections to bring change to the Legislature are over a year away, we must act now to hold legislators accountable for their words and actions by advocating commonsense values shared by all Missourians.

St. Charles, Mo. – As the General Assembly’s 2013 regular legislative session concluded Friday evening, the St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee voiced disappointment in the radically partisan priorities of the county’s Republican legislators.

“In 18 weeks in Jefferson City, Republican supermajorities defined their idea of thoughtful legislation by approving bills that were fiscally irresponsible, blatantly unconstitutional and totally inexplicable,” said Committee Chair Morton Todd. “The only people who came out ahead were the Republicans’ biggest donors.”

Moreover, Republicans repeatedly refused to consider the state’s best and easiest way to grow the economy: expanding Medicaid in order to return Missouri tax dollars to Missouri, generate $9.6 billion in new economic activity and provide health coverage to 300,000 additional Missourians.

“Despite more than 60 state and local business groups, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the St. Charles County Economic Development Center, endorsing Gov. Nixon’s plan to strengthen Medicaid, the Republican supermajorities put politics first and repeatedly blocked this middle-of-the-road measure,” said Todd. “But what’s worse is that Republicans’ inaction directly leads to lower quality health care by removing $4 billion from hospitals’ bottom lines.”

The St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee represents the Missouri Democratic Party in St. Charles County and performs functions as required by the laws of the State of Missouri, the Charter and By-Laws of the Democratic Party of the United States, and the Constitution and By-Laws of the Missouri Democratic Party.

Political apathy has always been a problem among young voters, and maybe it’s just because I’m a young voter myself, but it seems like more of a problem today than it has ever been in the past.

Admittedly, youth voting has been on the rise in the last couple elections. In 2008, the percentage of young people voting (ages 18-24 in this case) rose to 51%, the highest turn-out since 1992. However, that is still a far cry from the above 25 voter turn-out, which was 67% in 2008.

You might be wondering why, if young voting is on the rise and young voters are stereotypically apathetic to the politics of the world around them, this is a problem. Two main reasons: 1) Voting is habit-forming 2) Voting does not necessarily reflect civic engagement

The earlier a citizen learns about voting and the voting process the more likely they will be to vote. Somewhat like learning a new language, the earlier it is introduced to you, the more likely you are to learn it well and make it a part of you.

Despite the emphasis I made on the importance of voting. Voter turn-out does not necessarily reflect civic engagement. Our teachers are always saying, “VOTE!” but if you don’t know what the issues are or anything about the candidates I don’t recommend it. An informed citizenry is the best citizenry.

The first step in solving a problem is to understand it. There are several reasons young people do not vote, some are the same reasons as their older non-voting counterparts, but some are unique as well. These young non-voters do not believe their vote will make a difference, they believe all politics is corrupt, and they believe politics is elitist and does not affect them. Of course, there are countless other contentions, but these will be these are the primary ones.

So, how can we get young people involved in the democratic process? Simply talking to young people with an open mind is the best approach. Hear their complaints and do not try to tell them what to think, but allow them to draw their own conclusions. Don’t forget to let them know that they can make a difference and their vote does count. The rest of us know it’s true, but they don’t seem to. Finally, don’t give up on them. Sometimes all they need is a little nudge in the right direction.

On Sept. 12 the Missouri General Assembly overrode the veto on Senate Bill 749. The text of the bill can be found at this site.

No employer, health plan provider, health plan sponsor, health care provider, or any other person or entity shall be compelled to provide coverage for, or be discriminated against or penalized for declining or refusing coverage for, abortion, contraception, or sterilization in a health plan if such items or procedures are contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such employer, health plan provider, health plan sponsor, health care provider, person, or entity.

This is a clear violation of the freedom of religion. It forces workers to live by the religious view of their employer in order to support their families. There have been exceptions in past for religious institutions, but that is not the case this time. This clearly says “No employer.” This is a law that is plain and simply designed to give employers more control over the lives of workers. Why should employers have control over the religious life of the people that work for them?

The doctrine of the Episcopal Church (the Church of the majority of founding father and the National Cathedral) is “We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience.” But if an Episcopalian works for a business owned by a Catholic they may now be required to live by their employer’s religious beliefs. This is clearly a violation of the worker’s rights! The only Party in Missouri that still believes workers have rights, is the Democratic Party.

How about you, do you think that your employer’s rights end where yours begin? If so you should join us in standing up for the Middle Class.

If the session’s top priority was indeed job creation, we fell short. There was work to be done, and we missed the mark in the substantive areas that will move Missouri forward: Job Creation, Education, Healthcare, Fair Employment Practices and Moving People out of Poverty.

Did you know that our public school teachers’ salaries rank 41st in the nation? While we did not cut dollars out of K-12 education, we did, underfund it by $439 million. We ignored the disparity between hold harmless and formula school districts, and while there was legislation to address it, we did not move it forward.

In the critical Turner v. Clayton decision, it was the courts, not the legislature, which took the next step. The ruling essentially stated that the transfer of students from unaccredited districts to accredited districts would amount to an unfunded mandate which would violate the state’s Hancock amendment. The decision is subject to appeal.

Did you know our Missouri state workers’ salaries are ranked 50th in the nation? These are people who guard our prisons, work with seniors and the disabled and serve the public throughout our state. The legislature passed a much-needed 2% raise for those making up to $70,000 per year.

Health care provisions through the affordable care act are already creating savings for our seniors on prescription medications. Young adult children are allowed to remain on parents’ insurance plans until age 26. Children and many adults with preexisting conditions are able to purchase insurance and receive needed treatment. Healthy living is encouraged through access to no co-pay preventative services. While many of us have been able to take advantage of these new provisions, the legislature continues to work to undermine these welcome changes.

This session, we have taken a stand that temporarily blocks our state from moving forward in the creation of an insurance exchange. Specifically, “no department, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of this state shall apply for, accept or expend federal moneys related to the creation, implementation or operation of a state-based health insurance exchange or a federally-facilitated health benefit exchange unless such acceptance or expenditure is authorized by statute or an appropriations bill.” (Read the bill) An exchange will provide transparency. As you buy your insurance, isn’t it reasonable and helpful to be able to compare coverage…provision to provision? The legislature turned away approximately $100 million over the next two years which was to be used to upgrade our computer systems. Why? Because the funding would come from the federal government! And, because it might aid in upgrading our systems to allow us to implement the Affordable Care Act Exchange Provision. I believe that this federally-designated 100 million dollars is our money…yours and mine. The legislature thumbed its nose allowing these hard-earned dollars, our hard-earned dollars, to go to some other place or some other state.

Attacks on workers through reduction of culpability for work-place discrimination and lessening protections for whistle blowers were bills that moved forward. A female Senator who felt disrespected led an effort to end a bi partisan educational program helping women considering public service. Either through inaction or infighting, little that deals with the needs of our times moved to the fore for the tough decision- making required in tough times. The flurry of bills that gained traction in the eleventh hour included many designed to score political and talking points for upcoming elections in a year beginning the decade of newly formed house and senate districts.

And so, the end of this session was welcome. Based upon where we have been, it is clear that we need to start anew.

From Jill Schupp

State Representative in the old District 82 and unopposed for re-election in the new 88th district.

And with that, nothing was accomplished. Last Day of the MO House Legislation Session 2012

Republican Myth No. 4: No matter how much the wealthy make, they shouldn’t pay more taxes; after all, they earned it.

America has already tried lower taxes and less regulation on the rich. It was called the 19th century; and as Dr. Phil would say, “How’d that work out for you?”

As one reporter wrote, “There should be a new bumper sticker for the conservatives, ‘Repeal the 20th century vote GOP’.”

The 19th century gave us sweat shops, child labor, treacherous working conditions, toxic dumping, and poverty for most Americans. Only when unions and the need for higher skilled workers required a fair share of the pie did the phrase ‘a high tide raises all boats’ have real meaning. Now the high tide is leaving most of us drowning on the shore.

As the graphs below will show the 21st century Robber Barons are doing very well. Between 1917 and 1981, the upper 10 percent took 31 percent of all the wealth created. By the Bush years, they took 100 percent. it is time for us to stand up to the Republican scam.

Income Growth 1917-1981

Income Growth 1917-1981Income Growth 1982-2000

Income Growth 2001-2008

Why is it so many Americans do not pay income tax? It’s simple. Too many Americans are paid too little. Recent government statistics show an appalling 50 percent of American workers make less than $27,000 a year. How can they pay an income tax when they make so little?

Our minimum wage is approximately 33 percent of the average US wage. Canada’s minimum wage is 44 percent of their average wage, and most of Western Europe averages 50 percent or more. In addition, all the other countries have universal healthcare.

In the past 35 years, the percent of all income for the upper 1 percent has gone from 8 percent to 24 percent. Meantime, in the last decade, the average wage for the rest of us has gone down $2500 per year. Yet, the wealth squeal like stuck pigs when Democrats asked they be taxed at the rate Newt Gingrich agreed to.

Americans would gladly pay their fair share of the taxes, if they got their fair share of the wages and had healthcare benefits.

Republicans only want to talk about income taxes, but the poor pay a disproportionate amount of their income to regressive taxes such as sales, gasoline, liquor, cigarette, and fees. In addition, the largest tax the poor pay is Social Security which is also regressive because of the cap.

Republicans, led by House Speaker Steve Tilley (R-Perryville), want to do away Missouri’s income tax, and replace it with a sales tax of over 11 percent. Republicans say that will make us like Tennessee. God forbid!

In Tennessee, the top 1 percent only pays about 3 percent of their income to state and local taxes, while the bottom 60 percent pay almost 11 percent. In addition, Tennessee has had higher unemployment than Missouri in 8 of the last ten years. Add the fact Tennessee’s average wage is over $2000 a year less than Missouri’s, and you can count your blessing you live in Missouri.

American owes its workers more than the party of the rich wants them to have.

Michele Bachmann blames the gas price increase on President Obama, and promises to lower gasoline prices to under $2 a gallon. Once again Republicans throw out promises they cannot fulfill. Here is the truth:

Exxon Mobil’s CEO testified to Congress that oil would be selling for $65 a barrel instead of $100, if it weren’t for commodities speculators. Obama’s every attempt to stop these speculators has been thwarted by oil owned politicians like Roy Blunt.

Big Oil Blunt, as he is affectionately known, is one of the leading recipients of oil and gas money according to Center for Responsive Politics. A large portion of that has come from the oil barons, the infamous Oklahoma Koch brothers. The Koch brothers are funding all the anti-union fervor in Wisconsin. Remember Roy, we are judged by the company we keep.

With the U.S. using 26 percent of world oil production and having only 2.2 percent of the world’s known oil reserves, ‘drill, baby, drill’ is a misleading mind opiate for the misinformed. The longer we wait to develop alternative sources, the more dependant we become and the more severe the recession.

Former Shell Oil executive John Hofmeister, author of “Why We Hate the Oil Companies”, points out that China is wisely buying up world oil fields in order to secure long-term price stability for their energy. Meanwhile, the US is subject to the volatile day to day fluctuations of commodities markets where a bomb going off in the Middle East one day can mean $10 more for a tank of gas the next day. Yet, any attempt to reform our ‘rich get richer’ trade system is a third rail to Ed Martin and the wrong wing Republicans beholding to Wall Street and the oil barons.

The world is fast approaching the end of fossil fuels. The country that is first to implement a system of alternative energy will automatically become the world leader.